You Are Forgiven; Give Back Our Stuff!
Parishioners at Concordia Lutheran Church say they are hoping guilt will stop a trio of thieves from targeting their shed.
A Bedford church has issued a message via billboard to the thieves who are stealing from its storage shed.
Upgraded locks and security cameras have failed to stop a trio of thieves, the church said. They have struck three times since mid-March, taking thousands of dollars worth of lawn equipment, according to the church.
Parishioners at Concordia Lutheran Church said they are hoping guilt will do what reinforced doors can't: Stop the thieves in their tracks.
A billboard in front of the church on Harwood Road now reads: "You are forgiven, again. Bring back our stuff."
Pastor Mark Lasch said forgiveness is key to salvation.
"The love that we feel for those guys is the greater concern that our congregation has because, ultimately, they are going to have to answer for what they've done," Lasch said.
Lasch said even after three break-ins, his congregation continues to forgive the thieves. But that doesn't mean he won't call the cops on them.
"Civil government has a sword, and they need justice," he said.
While parishioners of Concordia insist that forgiveness will never get old, buying new lawn equipment does.
